The Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center is celebrating 35 years of honoring the Region's entrepreneurs and businss advocates.
“Our Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards continue to create a platform for our community to celebrate everything our small business community brings to the Region,” said NW-ISBDC Regional Director Lorri Feldt in a press release.
The 2026 E-Day event Nov. 12 will bestow nine awards on people and organizations that are making a difference in the business community.
“From health food to hockey, our Class of 2026 represents a range of industries, journeys and stories of entrepreneurial spirit and strength,” Feldt said.
The Class of 2026 includes:
- Small Business Person of the Year: Mike Simpson, M.E. Simpson Co. Inc., Valparaiso
- Entrepreneurial Success: Mylese Tucker, Nature’s Cupboard, Michigan City, Chesterton, La Porte
- Veteran-Owned Business of the Year: Aaron Jones, American Veteran Engineering, Crown Point
- Family-Owned Business of the Year: Swanel Beverage Inc., the Roviaro family, Hammond
- Young Entrepreneur: Joshua Avila, NEX Marketing Inc., Highland
- Advocate for Youth Entrepreneurship: Kristina Fleming, Hanover Central High School, Cedar Lake
- Small Business Advocate: Mandy Wester (Krickhahn), The Collective, Northwest Indiana
- Emerging Business: Dan Mikrut and Quinton Oster, Top Flight Hockey, Cedar Lake
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Rex Richards, Valpo Chamber, Valparaiso
Honorees will receive their awards during a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Avalon Manor, 3550 E. Lincoln Hwy., in Merrillville. Tickets are available here until Nov. 6.
The NW-ISBDC, which serves seven counties in the Region, helps entrepreneurs who are starting or expanding a business through one-on-one counseling. The U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of Indiana and other local partners fund the ISBDC through a cooperative agreement.
